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(No Model.) Q 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. O. H. MOU'LTON.

BILL FILE CASE. No. 323,877. Patented Aug. 4, 1885.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. H. MOULTON.

BILL FILE CASE. No. 323,877. Patented Aug. 4. 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. MOULTON, O1 YVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BILL-FILE CA SE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,877, dated August 4, 1885.

Application filed December 12, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. MOULTON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bill-File Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for locking the file-boxes in the filecase; and the object is to provide means for the purpose stated whereby the file-boxes singly, or in series, or all together, may be securely locked in position in the file-case.

I attain the object of my invention by means of the mechanism hereinafter described, and which I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings forming apart of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a file-case with file-boxes inserted, one of the latter being shown as having the front broken away to disclose the locking-bar, a lower locking-bar and connecting rod being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the case, taken in the direction of its depth. Fig. 3 is a view of the projecting end of the locking-bar and lever-arm, with the locking device fixed to the side of the file-case.

The letter A designates a file-case. This may be of any of the usual constructions, forming a series of pigeon-holes or file-box receptacles.

The letters 13 designate file-boxes fitted to the openings of the file-case. These file-boxes may be made with any form of side pieces or side walls; but I have shown them as having metallic side pieces of a well-known construction, wherein the standard secured to the bottom of the file-box runs about parallel to the end board of the box.

I have designated the side pieces of the filebox by the letter O. In the upper or forward leg of each side piece, 0, arranged to receive one edge of the locking-bars hereinatter described,lform a notch or ind entation,D, which serves as a seat for the locking-bar E, and thus seated it holds the box or boxes securely within the case.

The letters E designate locking-bars. These bars are formed with journals a, preferably arranged on a line without the longitudinal center of the bar, in order that the bar may tend (No model.)

to swing to a vertical position in cross-section when left free in the bearings. Bearings are formed in the vertical side walls of the filecase A, and the bars E are longitudinally disposed in the bearings across the upper portions of the pigeon-holes or box-receptacles, and above the height of the side pieces. 0, of the file-boxes, so that when the bars are turned up the lowest edge thereof shall not come in contact with thenotch or with the edges of the side pieces of the file-boxes B. When a single locking-bar is used, the one end thereof is extended through one of the side walls of the file-case, and thereto is secured a lever-arm, c, which may be provided with a finger-piece, d, for convenience of 1nanipulation. I have shown the projecting end of the locking-bar in Fig. 3 of the drawings, as designated at e, and in the side wall of the case a cut-away portion, as f, and therein secured a spring, g, formed to engage the end of the lever-arm c and hold the bar fiat or raised from the notches in the side pieces, (3, of the fileboxes, or to retain it in engagement therewith.

When the file-case consists of more than one row of file-box receptacles and file-boxes, a locking-bar, E, is arranged to engage with each longitudinal row of boxes B, the several bars being connected by a vertical rod or link, H, linked or otherwise secured to each bar in succession. In this construction the end of but one locking-bar projects through the side wall, A, of the case, and to this the lever-arm or key 0 is applit d, and the whoe series of boxes thus may be locked or unlocked by the turning of the one bar.

In case the lever-arm 0 is dispensed with, the projecting end 6 of the locking-baris formed to receive a key adapted to lift it from lockin g engagement.

In Fig. 3 I have shown fixed to the side of the file-case a lock, F, and a hinged plate, G, carrying the staple h to receive the bolt 7: of the lock. The hinged plate closes over the end of the bar D and lever-arm c, and being locked in place efiectually prevents access to either bar or lever. in the side of the file-case, which acts to throw back the hinged plate when released from the bar of the look.

I am aware that a locking mechanism for I have fitted a spring, 6,

drawers, &c., has heretofore been made, consisting of a vertical sliding-bar, located between the side of the drawer and the side of the desk, and provided with inwardly-projecting pins to engage notches formed in the side pieces of the drawer, the sliding bar being operated by a pivoted lever engaging therewith.

I am also aware that side pieces of file-boxes have been made with notches adapted .to hold the cross-piece of the followerin engagement.

"What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a file-case, a lock ing-bar extending across the file-box receptacles of the file-case and jonrnaled in the side walls or pieces thereof, and adapted to engage with the tilebox by being turned on its axis, substantially as described, and for the purpose stated.

2. In combination with a file-case, a lockin g-bar extending across the file-box receptacles of the file-case and journaled in the side walls or pieces thereof, and adapted to engage with the file-box by being turned on its axis, and the lever applied to the end of the locking-bar to throw it in and out of engagementwith the file-box, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a tile-case, a lockingbar mounted to rotate on bearings in the case and extending across the file receptacles therein, and a file-box having its sidewalls or pieces formed with notches in the outer edges to be engaged with the locking-bars, substan ings in the case and extending across each series of file receptacles therein, a vertical rod pivotally connecting the locking-bars, a multiple of file-boxes formed with notches in the outer edges of their side pieces, and a lever attached to one of the locking-bars, whereby the bars may simultaneously be rotated and thrown in and out of engagement with the file-boxes, substantially as and for the purpose stated.

5. In combination with a file-case and the file-boxes thereof, two or more locking-bars mounted to rotate on hearings in the case and extending across each series of file-receptacles, vertical rods connecting the locking-bars, and a lever attached to one of the locking bars, whereby the bars may be simultaneously rotated and thrown in or out of engagement with the file-boxes, substantial] y as described, and for the purpose stated.

6. In combination with a file-case and a filebox formed with notches in the outer edges of its side pieces, aloekingbar mounted on bearings across the file-case and adapted to en gage notches in the file-box by being rotated on its axis, means, substantially as described,

for turning said bar on its axis, and a lock to hold the bar in engagement with the filebox, substantially as described, and for the purpose stated.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

GHARLES II. MOULTON.

Attest:

Enw. T. PRITCHARD, J. HEYLMUN. 

